Security & Cybersecurity · head to head
Malwarebytes vs Private Internet Access
Malwarebytes
Security & Cybersecurity
Protects every device, everywhere
- From
- Free
- Rated
- -
Private Internet Access
Security & Cybersecurity
Long-standing VPN service with a large server network and flexible multi-year plans
- From
- $11.99/month
- Rated
- -
The short version
- Only Malwarebytes has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
- Each has a real cost: Malwarebytes free version limited to on-demand scanning and removal; no real-time protection; Private Internet Access monthly plan is priced noticeably higher than the discounted multi-year commitments, penalizing short-term users.
- They diverge on capability: Malwarebytes covers Malware detection & removal, Private Internet Access covers Split tunneling.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Malwarebytes and Private Internet Access actually diverge.
| Attribute | Malwarebytes | Private Internet Access |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | Free | $11.99/month |
| Pricing model | freemium | subscription |
| Free tier | Yes | No |
| Platforms | Windows, macOS, iOS, Android | windows, mac, linux, ios, android |
| Founded | 2008 | Unknown |
Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated), category (Security & Cybersecurity).
What each one covers
Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.
Only in Malwarebytes
- Malware detection & removal
- Ransomware protection
- Real-time protection
- Anti-exploit
- Anti-phishing
- Browser Guard
- VPN
- Brute Force Protection
Only in Private Internet Access
- Split tunneling
- Kill switch
- Ad and tracker blocking
- Dedicated IP add-on
- Bundled antivirus add-on
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
Malwarebytes
- Budget-conscious users performing manual scans via free versionnot Private Internet Access
- Organisations needing real-time malware and ransomware protection via Premium subscriptionnot Private Internet Access
- Users combining antivirus with privacy via Premium plus Privacy VPN bundlenot Private Internet Access
Private Internet Access
- Encrypting traffic on public Wi-Fi with a kill switchnot Malwarebytes
- Blocking ads and trackers network-wide via MACEnot Malwarebytes
- Maintaining a consistent connection identity with a dedicated IP add-onnot Malwarebytes
- Committing to a long-term plan for a lower effective monthly ratenot Malwarebytes
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
Malwarebytes
- Free version limited to on-demand scanning and removal; no real-time protection
- Upgrade requires purchase of Malwarebytes Premium for automatic protection
- Privacy VPN add-on requires separate subscription or bundle with Premium
Private Internet Access
- Monthly plan is priced noticeably higher than the discounted multi-year commitments, penalizing short-term users.
- Dedicated IP and antivirus are paid add-ons rather than included features.
- Headquartered in a jurisdiction whose privacy reputation some competitors market against, despite audited no-logs claims.
- App interface is less streamlined than some higher-priced premium VPN competitors.
Pricing, plan by plan
Malwarebytes
FreeNo published plan breakdown. See the Malwarebytes review.
Private Internet Access
$11.99/month- Monthly$11.99/month
- Billed month to month
- Full server network access
- 30-day money-back guarantee
- 1-Year$3.1/month
- Billed annually at $37.19
- Full server network access
- 2-Year$2.19/month
- Lowest advertised rate, billed every 2 years
- Full server network access
Which should you pick?
Choose Malwarebytes if
- You need malware detection & removal.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Windows, macOS, iOS, Android.
- You also want ransomware protection.
Choose Private Internet Access if
- You need split tunneling.
- You work on windows, mac, linux, ios, android.
- You also want kill switch.
Questions people ask
- Is Malwarebytes or Private Internet Access better?
- Neither clearly leads. Malwarebytes starts at Free and Private Internet Access at $11.99/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Malwarebytes or Private Internet Access?
- Malwarebytes has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Malwarebytes and $11.99/month for Private Internet Access.
- Does Malwarebytes or Private Internet Access run on more platforms?
- Malwarebytes runs on Windows, macOS, iOS, Android. Private Internet Access runs on windows, mac, linux, ios, android.
- Can I use Malwarebytes for free?
- Yes. Malwarebytes has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Private Internet Access starts at $11.99/month.
- What is Malwarebytes best used for?
- Malwarebytes is most often used for budget-conscious users performing manual scans via free version, organisations needing real-time malware and ransomware protection via premium subscription, users combining antivirus with privacy via premium plus privacy vpn bundle. Of those, budget-conscious users performing manual scans via free version and organisations needing real-time malware and ransomware protection via premium subscription are not what Private Internet Access is typically brought in for.
- What can Malwarebytes do that Private Internet Access cannot?
- Malwarebytes covers Malware detection & removal, Ransomware protection, Real-time protection, Anti-exploit. Private Internet Access covers Split tunneling, Kill switch, Ad and tracker blocking, Dedicated IP add-on.
Related pages
More on Malwarebytes
More on Private Internet Access
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